Stage 1 of the study is designed to provide data about the risk-benefit of 4 dose regimens of indacaterol (75, 150, 300 & 600 µg o.d.) in order to select two doses to carry forward into study Stage 2. Study Stage 2 will provide pivotal confirmation of efficacy, safety, and tolerability of the selected indacaterol doses in patients with COPD

FEV1 was measured with spirometry conducted according to internationally accepted standards. Trough FEV1 was defined as the average of the 23 h 10 min and the 23 h 45 min post dose values. Mixed model used baseline FEV1, FEV1 prior to and 30 minutes post inhalation of salbutamol/albuterol, and FEV1 prior to and 1 hour post inhalation of ipratropium as covariates.

Secondary Outcome Measures:

The Percentage of "Days of Poor Control" Reported Over the 26 Week Treatment Period [ Time Frame: up to 26 weeks ]

A Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) "day of poor control" was defined as any day in the participant's diary with a score ≥2 (moderate or severe) for at least 2 of 5 symptoms (cough, wheeze, production of sputum, color of sputum, breathlessness). Score for each symptom ranges from 0-3; a higher number indicates a more severe symptom. The model contained baseline percentage of "days of poor control" as well as FEV1 reversibility components as covariates.

In the morning, Indacaterol 150 µg once daily orally inhaled via a single dose dry powder inhaler (SDDPI) + Placebo to Indacaterol delivered via SDDPI + Placebo to Formoterol delivered via Aerolizer. In the evening, Placebo to Formoterol delivered via Aerolizer. Participated in the 2 week Stage 1 and continued treatment up to 26 weeks in Stage 2. Placebo to Formoterol inhalation in the morning and in the evening was discontinued after Stage 1.

Daily Inhaled Corticosteroid (ICS) monotherapy (if applicable) was to remain stable and Salbutamol/albuterol was available for rescue use throughout study.

In the morning, Placebo to Indacaterol once daily (o.d.) orally inhaled via a single dose dry powder inhaler (SDDPI).

Drug: Placebo to Formoterol

In the morning and in the evening, placebo to formoterol delivered via Aerolizer.

Experimental: Indacaterol 300 µg (Continued Into Stage 2)

In the morning, Indacaterol 300 µg once daily orally inhaled via a SDDPI + Placebo to Indacaterol delivered via SDDPI + Placebo to Formoterol delivered via Aerolizer. In evening, Placebo to Formoterol delivered via Aerolizer. Participated in the 2 week Stage 1 and continued treatment up to 26 weeks in Stage 2. Placebo to Formoterol inhalation in the morning and in the evening was discontinued after Stage 1.

Daily ICS monotherapy (if applicable) was to remain stable and Salbutamol/albuterol was available for rescue use throughout study.

In the morning, Placebo to Indacaterol delivered via two SDDPI devices + Placebo to Formoterol delivered via Aerolizer. In the evening, Placebo to Formoterol delivered via Aerolizer. Participated in the 2 week Stage 1 and continued treatment up to 26 weeks in Stage 2. Placebo to Formoterol inhalation in the morning and in the evening was discontinued after Stage 1.

Daily ICS monotherapy (if applicable) was to remain stable and Salbutamol/albuterol was available for rescue use throughout study.

Drug: Placebo to Indacaterol

In the morning, Placebo to Indacaterol once daily (o.d.) orally inhaled via a single dose dry powder inhaler (SDDPI).

Drug: Placebo to Formoterol

In the morning and in the evening, placebo to formoterol delivered via Aerolizer.

Experimental: Indacaterol 75 µg (Not Continued into Stage 2)

In the morning, Indacaterol 75 µg once daily orally inhaled via a SDDPI + Placebo to Indacaterol delivered via SDDPI + Placebo to Formoterol delivered via Aerolizer. In the evening, Placebo to Formoterol delivered via Aerolizer. Participated in the 2 week Stage 1 but did not continue to Stage 2.

Daily ICS monotherapy (if applicable) was to remain stable and Salbutamol/albuterol was available for rescue use throughout study.

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Please refer to this study by its ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT00463567